Shuttle check for looms



Feb. 14, 1950 A. R. ABBOTT ET AL.

SHUTTLE CHECK FOR LOOMS Filed April 15, 1948 IN VEN TORS Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES "PATEN T' OFFICE 2,497,711 LSHUTELE CHECK FOR LOOMS Arthur R. Abbott, Shelton, Michael F. Kieleyr Derby,and Frederick T. Simon, Shelton, Conn assignors to Sidney Blumenthal & -Co., Inc., New York, Y., a corporation of New "York AplilicationApril 13, 1948, .Serial No. 20,616

'11 Claims.

'been arrested in order to facilitate "the action of the picker stick in propelling :the shuttle on its return flight.

object of the invention is to provide the shuttle box with a brake or arrester which is activated by the shuttle itself in such a way as to perform its function with ,a gradual increase in power on a dynamic principle.

Another object is 'to provide sucha "box in which the brake or arrester-is,-when-contacted by the incoming shuttle, moved so as toincrease its frictional pressure'upon the shuttle.

Another object is to provide such a boxin which the movement of the brake just mentioned is -a combination of bodily motionas a whole and rotary .or angular motion around a pivot.

Another object is to provide Such a box in which the impingement ofv theincoming shuttle upon the picker vblock also activates the brake or arrester in a manner to augment its functional effect.

Another object is "to provide such a'box in-which the tendency of the shuttle 'to bounce backwards after itstrikes .the picker block is eliminated.

Another object'is toprovide such-a box in which the binding action of the brake or arrester upon the shuttle is released when the shuttle comes to rest, thus freeingthe latterfor the impact of the picker stick to ,start its return flight and in which the back of the boxis-perfectlystraight to improve the accuracy of shuttle flight.

,Anotherobjectis to provide such'a boxin which the braking or arresting action is accomplished in such a manner as to ease the picking motion, reduce the strain upon "the ,ifllling warn; improve the control of the yarn-tension;- and "lessenthe --wear upon the shuttle qand-the picking elements.

A further object is to provide certain improvements in the form, construction and-arrangement "of the several partswhereby the above --named and other objects inherent "in the invention may be eliective'ly attained.

A practical embodiment of {the invention is -;reprresented in the accompanying -drawing;-fin which Fig. 1 represents a detail front elevation of the shuttle'box and picker stick, with aportion of a shuttle shown ,in broken lines as it enters the box;

Fig. 2 represents a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 represents a similar "top plan-view with certain parts showngin difierent positions;

Fig. 4 represents an enlarged vertical section taken in the plane of line IV IV of Fig. 2,;looking in the direction of the arrows;

"Fig. 5 represents a vertical section on-the'same scale as 'Fig. '4, taken in the plane of the line VV of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

"Fig. 6 represents a horizontal section on the same scale taken in the plane of the 'line of 'Fig. 4, looking inthe direction of the arrows.

In loom operation, control of the shuttle or shuttles and the ,flights thereof is a matter of fundamental importance and, in spite of long continued efforts-there is still much to be desired with respect to perfecting the functions of receiving the shuttle inthe shuttle boxes, arresting its motion, and starting it on its return flight,

as Well as :matters incidental to or allied with the "functions just named. The present invention is calculated substantially to advance the present status in these respects while retaining the adaptability of the box to incorporation in looms of approvedand standard types without the need i of reconstruction or;rearra-ngement of other parts.

Referring to'the drawing, the shuttle box proper has a bottom I and-a back 2 which'are preferably formed integrally and are composed of appropriate material, such as steel. Fashioned in the bottom I is the usual slot 3 for receiving and permitting reciprocating motion of'the upper end of'thepicker sticklw-hich is fitted wlththe picker block 5 for propelling the shuttle 6 in a well understood manner.

A shuttle brake or arrester ismarked I as a 'wholeand is shown as angular in cross section, having'a horizontal portion -8 and a-vertical wall-9. It ispreferably composed of steel. The horizontal portion 8 has a lateral'bul'ge lfl near its end that-extends toward-the loom, in which bulge 'is-fiXed anupwardly projecting screw pin I! that enters and is fitted to ride in an angularly disposedslot l2 formedin a bearing-plate I3.

The'parts just named are also preferably composed-of steelyand-the bearing plate 43 is circular to adapt it for adjustment in a clamp which holds it in position on the bottom I of the shuttle box. The said clamp consists of a split ring I4 which embraces the periphery of the bearing plate, and a pair of feet I5, I5, that are positioned below the ring but are preferably integral therewith, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and are fixed to the edge of the bottom I of the shuttle box by screws I6, I6.

For the purpose of tightening or loosening the grip of the clamp upon the bearing I3, the former is provided with flanges IT, IT, that are pierced by two cap screws I8, I8. Loosening of the said cap screws will permit rotary adjustment of the hearing plate in the clamp and tightening of the screws will set the bearing plate in the position to which it has been adjusted.

The extremity of the brake or arrester 1 dis-:. tant from the bulge I is formed with an inwardly projecting tail IS that is arranged to be contacted by the picker block when the latter is struck by the incoming shuttle; while a stud,

20 is fitted in the bottom I of the box at a point adjacent the tail I9 to act as a stop and prevent the brake or arrester I from swinging too far away from the picker block.

A guide piece 2|, which is preferably composed of steel and is angular in cross section, is fastened by cap screws 22, 22, on the bottom I of the box near the end thereof which extends toward the loom; and the said guide piece has rounded ends as indicated at 23, 23, and a straight intermediate portion, whereby it can serve to correct any slight deviation of the shuttle from its intended line of flight as th latter enters the box and, also, initially direct its return flight.

In operation, the shuttle enters the shuttle box as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Further incoming movement of the shuttle causes it to contact the vertical wall 9 of the brake or arrester and :thefriction resulting from this contact tends to move the latter along with the shuttle. This movement, however, is restricted by the presence of th pin I I, in the bearing slot I2, which latter is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle box, as well shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The result of the foregoing is that the pin II will move from a position at approximately the middle of the bearing slot to a position nearer the inner end of the said slot, and this motion will also include a slight. rotary motion of the said pin so that the end of the brake or arrester ;clear that the greater the force with which the movement of the shuttle tends to move the brake or arrester, the greater the pressure which the latter will exert upon the shuttle. This pressure forces the shuttle against the straight inner surface of the back 2 of the shuttle box so as to, in

effect, squeeze the shuttle between the brake or arrester and the back of the box, thus tending to stop the incoming flight of the latter with a graduated force generated on a dynamic principle. In cases where the pressure of the brake .or arrester on the side of the shuttle does not stop its flight short of contact by the inner end of the shuttle with the picker block 5, the last named contact will move the said block a short distance to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, and this movement of the picker block will cause it to impinge upon the tail I9 of the brake or arrester and impart a slight additional bodily movement of the latter also to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, which movement will continue the inward movement of the pin I I in the slot I2 and thus further increase the pressure of the brake or arrester upon the side of the shuttle. Thus the incoming flight of the shuttle is certain to be completely arrested and by means which, as already pointed out, obtains this result through steady gradual increase of resistance to the movement of the shuttle, which increase is in proportion to the necessity therefor due to the kinetic energy of the shuttle and the degree of friction between its surface and that of the brake or arrester and the back of the box.

As soon as the flight of the shuttle has been completely stopped it will no longer have any to perform its function just described upon the next arrival of the shuttle.

The adjustability of the bearing plate I3 in the clamp I4 enables the angularity of the slot I2 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle box to be varied so as to regulate the abruptness or speed with which the brake or arrester swings inwardly to exert frictional pressure upon the shuttle following contact by the latterasit travels into the shuttle box.

It will thus be seen that, once the bearing plate I3 has been properly set, the action of the parts in .arresting the flight of the shuttle is automatic and positively related to the requirements of the situation, whereby the complete stoppage of the shuttles flight without undue shock and without rebounce of the shuttle is insured, while its complete release thereafter for free response to the next picking action immediately follows. The guide piece 2i is effective to make certain that the shuttle properly contacts the brake or arrester as it enters the shuttle box and to provide guidance for the return flight of the shuttle as it leaves the box. In this connection it will be observed that the back of the box has no moving part nor any projection or irregularity, so that its inner surface is perfectly straight. This enables the said surface to be carefully aligned with the corresponding surface of the opposite box with the result of notably im proving the accuracy of shuttle flight.

As the parts act in such a way as to bring the shuttle to a gradual stop, strain on. the filling yarn is reduced and tension on the latter is more easily controlled.- Likewise, the life of the shuttle is increased, as is the life of the picker mechanism due to reduced strain on the picker stick and the mechanism which actuates it. The power required for driving the picking motion is lessened and the frictional wear on the side of the shuttle is minimized because of the relatively large area of surface contact between the shuttle and the brake orarresterr The invention thus materially advances the smoothness, accuracy and efficiency of loom operation. and also leads 5 to economies chiefly related .to generation of power, repair and replacement of parts.

It will be understood thatvarious changes may f be resorted-to in the form, constructiommaterial and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and

hence we do not intend to be limited to the details herein shown or described except as they may be recited in the claims or be required by the dis- .closures of the prior art.

What we claim is:

'1. In a shuttle box for looms, means for arresting the incoming shuttle, said means comprising a pivoted and slidable element adapted to be moved bodily and also swung by contact of the:

shuttle laterally toward and into braking contact with the shuttle.

2. In a shuttle box for looms, means for arresting the incoming shuttle, said means comprising a pivoted and slidable element adapted to be shuttle laterally toward and into braking contact with the shuttle, said element having a pin and slot mounting on the box with the slot lying at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the box and said element also having a lateral projection extending at least partly across the normal path of movement of the shuttle in the box.

4. A shuttle box for looms comprising, a bottom and a back, and a shuttle braking element mounted on the box bottom for bodily and swinging movement laterally toward and into contact with an incoming shuttle, said mounting including two bearing members, one having a slot and the other having a pin fitted to ride in the slot.

5. A shuttle box for looms comprising, a bottom and a back, and a shuttle braking element mounted on the box bottom for bodily and swinging movement laterally toward and into contact with an incoming shuttle, said mounting including two bearing members, one having a slot and the other having a pin fitted to ride in the slot, the member having the slot being secured to the box bottom.

6. A shuttle box for looms comprising, a bottom and a back, and a shuttle braking element mounted on the box bottom for bodily and swinging movement into contact with an incoming shuttle, said mounting including two bearing members, one having a slot and the other having a pin fitted to ride in the slot, the member having the slot being adjustably secured to the box bottom.

7. In a loom, in combination with a picking member for driving a shuttle on its flight, a shuttle box provided with a slot through which said picking member projects for reciprocating motion therein, and a shuttle brake having a pin and slot mounting on the box at one side of said slot, which mounting permits bodily and swinging movement of the brake to cause it to contact an incoming shuttle, a part of said brake lying in the path of motion of the picking member, whereby impingement of an incoming shuttle on said picking member will cause the latter to move the said brake and bring it into contact with the shuttle.

8. Ina loom, in -=combinationwith a picking member for driving a shuttle on its flight, a shuttle box provided with a slot through which said picking member projects for reciprocating motion therein, and a shuttle brake having a pin and slot mounting onthe box at one sideof said slot, which mounting permits bodily and swinging movement of the brake to cause it to contact an incomingshuttle, .a part of said brake lying in the path of motion of the picking member, wherebyimpingement of an incoming shuttle on said picking member will cause the latter to move the said brake and bring it into contact with the shuttle, said pin and slot mountin being adjustable to predetermine the amount ,of swinging movement which accompanies a given amount of bodily movement of said brake.

9. In a loom, in combination with a picking member for driving a shuttle on its flight, a shuttle box having a bottom and a back, the bottom being provided with a slot through which said picking member projects for reciprocating motion therein, and an elongated shuttle brake mounted on the front portion of the box bottom, said mounting being positioned adjacent the end of the brake which is toward the entrance of the box and including a pin and slot with the latter slanting inwardly toward the back and away from the entrance of the box, whereby impingement of an incoming shuttle on the said end of the brake will impart to the latter combined bodily and swinging movement toward the back of the box and squeeze the shuttle therebetween to arrest the flight of the latter.

10. In a loom, in combination with a picking member for driving a shuttle on its flight, a shut tle box having a bottom and a back, the bottom being provided with a slot through which said picking member projects for reciprocating motion therein, and an elongated shuttle brake mounted on the front portion of the box bottom, said mounting being positioned adjacent the end of the brake which is toward the entrance of the box and including a pin and slot with the latter slanting inwardly toward the back and away from the entrance of the box, whereby impingement of an incoming shuttle on the said end of the brake will impart to the latter combined bodily and swinging movement toward the back of the box and squeeze the shuttle therebetween to arrest the flight of the latter, the opposite end Oi said brake being provided with a lateral projection extending into the path of motion of the picking member, whereby impingement of the incoming shuttle on the picking member will cause the latter to act upon the brake and increase the pressure of the latter upon the shuttle.

11. In a loom, in combination with a picking member for driving a shuttle on its flight, a shuttle box having a bottom and a back, the bottom being provided with a slot through which said picking member projects for reciprocating motion therein, and an elongated shuttle brake mounted on the front portion of the box bottom, said mounting being positioned adjacent the end of the brake which is toward the entrance of the box and including a pin and slot with the latter slanting inwardly toward the back and away from the entrance of the box, whereby impingement of an incoming shuttle on the said end of the brake will impart to the latter combined bodily and swinging movement toward the back of the box and squeeze the shuttle therebetween to arrest the flight of the latter, the opposite end of said brake being provided with a lateral projectlon extending into the path of motion of the picking member, whereby impingement of the incoming shuttle on the picking member will cause the latter to act upon the brake and increase the pressure of the latter upon the shuttle, and means for adjusting the angularity of the said mounting slot with respect to the back of the box. 9

ARTHUR R. ABBOTT. MICHAEL F. KIELEY. FREDERICK T. SIMON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Re. 12,428 692,835 871,429 1,316,551 1,559,172 1,766,756 2,207,107 2,248,872 2,351,189

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